The Montreal Canadiens could be without the services of their best forward to start the regular season as the team announced that Max Pacioretty injured his knee in off-ice training.  The injury is expected to keep Pacioretty out of action for 12 weeks, which means that he is likely out for the start of training camp, and that the first games of the regular season are up in the air.

Pacioretty scored 37 goals and 30 assists for 67 points in 80 games to lead the Habs in both goals and points last season. It was the third consecutive season where he led the team in those categories.  It was also his second straight year topping the 35 goal plateau, and third time in his career that he topped 30 goals.

Pacioretty suffered a concussion at the end of the regular season last year, causing him to miss the final two games of the regular season, and the Canadiens first playoff game against Ottawa.  He would return and score five goals and two assists for seven points in 11 playoff games as the Habs defeated the Senators, but fell in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Pacioretty, 26, has spent his entire NHL career with Montreal, after being drafted 22nd overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.  He was also a member of Team USA at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

The following is the Team’s Press Release.

Max Pacioretty suffered a knee injury

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens announced Friday that forward Max Pacioretty suffered a knee injury. His recovery is expected to be 12 weeks.

Pacioretty, 26, suffered his injury while working out off-ice in Florida, Thursday, July 9, 2015.

 

MONTREAL, QC – MAY 6: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Montreal Canadiens skates against the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on May 6, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Laplante/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)